*** 
SB Learn – Mandatory Training Update! ***
Our SBC mandatory training programme is currently under review. As a result of that, we have moved several modules out of the CORE training programme. For the time being, the only module that is mandatory for all staff to complete is the Prevent Refresher. We’ll give a further update on the mandatory training programme in the near future.
Our hugely popular AI and Data Literacy 4-day courses are kicking off again from September, for their fifth and possibly final year!! (We’re awaiting the decision on our project funding continuing…cross your fingers for us!)
What previous cohorts have said about the course:
As part of our funding conditions, we have four places reserved for SBC teachers and/or senior leaders (two Primary, two Secondary), so please do take them up or they will be released to other local authorities! This means the course is free to attend (catering included) and we will offer 50% of the cost of getting classroom cover.
The Secondary course dates are:
For details and to apply for the Secondary course visit https://dataschools.education/ai-and-data-literacy-courses-for-secondary-2026/. Teachers in all subject areas welcome!
The Primary course dates are:
For details and to apply for the Primary course visit https://dataschools.education/ai-and-data-literacy-courses-for-primary-2026-2027/
All sessions will be in-person and held in the Edinburgh Futures Institute, 9am-3pm, though arrangements can be made for virtual attendance on a case by case basis, just get in touch. As we are kicking off soon, please apply as soon as possible if you’re interested! Feel free to reach out to Jasmeen (jasmeen.kanwal@ed.ac.uk) if you have any questions.
We are delighted to be able to share Education Scotland’s anticipated Professional Learning offer for 2026/27.
This year’s professional learning brochure has been designed to be more accessible and easier to navigate, helping you as practitioners and leaders of learning quickly identify professional learning opportunities that meet your needs. Please note that the professional learning offer outlined in the brochure is indicative and subject to final confirmation.
As the brochure is hosted through a live link, it will be updated regularly for the remainder of 2026. This ensures that you can bookmark this, and we will ensure the information remains current and that new professional learning opportunities can be added as they become available.
Training and live lessons calendar 26/27
Please find attached the information for our next academic yearâs training and live lessons.
Please remind your schools that our lessons and training are designed with LfS and Target 2030 in mind, to support them on their journey to becoming Sustainable Learning Settings.
And do keep in mind that we would be delighted to offer tailored support, both in-person when possible and/or online, like we just did with Angus Council where we were joined by practitioners in Arbroath and discussed all things LfS, Sustainable Learning Settings and how Climate Action Schools can support.
Would you like us to deliver something similar? Just drop me an email!
The following 2 courses are available as a pre-recorded video via the SNSA Website via the Help section of the Assessment portal the supporting Powerpoint and Script is also available. There is unfortunately no ability to provide a link to these due to the security on the Assessment Portal. These recorded webinars are available for all staff registered on SEEMIS who have a SNSA username and password. See Image below:
Â
âAn Introduction to NSAâ.âŻÂ L.A, National Webinars and Recorded Webinar
This course is for anyone involved in the delivery of national standardised assessments to children and young people in primary or secondary schools who wish to understand the purpose of the assessments and gain familiarity with the functionality of the assessment platform. It also highlights examples of good practice in administering the assessments and provides advice and practical information for example, on the ability to stop the assessments or take a break, guidance regarding the timing of the assessments and assigning out-of-stage assessments.âŻâŻ
Â
âA Closer Look at NSA in an ASN and EAL ContextââŻÂ âŻÂ L.A, National Webinars and Recorded Webinar
This course will include content that is relevant when working with children and young people who require additional support with their learning or for whom English is an additional language. It contains details of platform functionality that can be used to support accessibility as well as practical advice on using NSA with children and young people who require additional support with their learning or have English as an additional language (EAL).âŻâŻÂ
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Please read all the email details fully, information on how to book is noted below.
I have your name on our distribution list wishing to participate in ASIST training.
You need to book through a link to the national portal (which I will provide below). All bookings are on a first come first serve basis and we are unable to influence or prioritise who gets allocated places. Once all places have been taken the portal will tell you there are no longer spaces available on this course.
We have 2 courses planned, please be sure to click on the link to book for the dates/venue of course you wish to attend, you cannot hold places on both courses (we have such a large waiting list), if you book onto more than one course your place will be cancelled on one.
| Venue | Langlee Community Centre |
| Dates | Tuesday 1st & Wednesday 2nd September
You must be able to attend both days fully |
| Time | 8.50am â 5pm |
| Link to Book | https://mhandsplearning.publichealthscotland.scot/course_registration.aspx?id=044f931a-3d6e-423b-8a04-7bb747ceaafa  |
| Venue | Eyemouth Commnity Centre |
| Dates | Wednesday 30th September & Thursday 1st October
You must be able to attend both days fully |
| Time | 8.50am â 5pm |
| Link to Book | https://mhandsplearning.publichealthscotland.scot/course_registration.aspx?id=3d968bd2-a1bb-4b50-9bf1-be5fd8760c26Â Â |
This course is offered to you free of charge if you are over the age of 16 and work or live within the Scottish Borders, as we have such a large waiting list of people wanting to participate, can we please ask if you need to cancel please do so in a timely manner to allow us to try and fill any spaces.
Dates:
18 November 2026, 9am-3pm (Inspire, Tweedbank)
or
24 March 2027, 9am-3pm (Inspire, Tweedbank)
This course will cover:
Aims of the course
Target Audience:
Staff looking to set up a targeted nurture group, or with an interest in whole school nurturing approaches.
Bookings can be made via Business World.
Calling all upper primary teachers!
Love Music are inviting applications for qualified upper primary teachers to take part in our FREE Sing for Wellbeing CPD programme, starting in September 2026 on 8 x Friday afternoons across the academic year, in central Edinburgh.
This will be the second year of our fully funded primary teacher CPD, which is designed for and with teachers who feel a lack of confidence of skills in leading singing with pupils in their classrooms. No prior singing or music experience is necessary!
We worked with 26 teachers in our 2025-26 cohort, they said:
âIâve absolutely loved the course, the resources and using them in my class, the children love them.â
âI’ve really enjoyed the Friday afternoons…my confidence in my singing has increased – I hope my tuning has improved, I feel it has.â
Sing for Wellbeing is both a training, and a community of practice, where professional teaching practitioners have a voice and co-design to meet the needs of our learning cohort. Our material and approach is aimed at Upper Primary P4-7, however, teachers working in other year groups or across all year groups are also welcome to join us.
For full details, FAQs and to sign up, visit our website:
https://lovemusic.org.uk/portfolio/sing-for-wellbeing
Teachers will:
– Receive 10x more music training than offered in typical Initial Teacher Education training
– Work with music inclusion and education specialist and Love Musicâs artistic director Stephen Deazley, and other consultant specialists in education, inclusion and music
– Develop skills and confidence to use singing inclusively in their teaching practice.
– Develop a deeper understanding of the impact of inclusive group singing on their own and pupils’ health and wellbeing.
– Become part of our growing âCommunity of Practiceâ where teachers will meet others taking part, support their peers, share learning, resources, and ideas.
-Receive a year of training for FREE thanks to Creative Scotland and William Syson Foundation, alongside access and travel support where needed
Applications are open from now until our first session on 18 September 2026.
Please ask questions via the sign-up form, or by emailing hello@lovemusic.org.uk and weâll be happy to help.
Mae Murray MBE
Do you have experience and expertise utilising best practice community led support? Are you looking to diversify your knowledge and skills? We are seeking nominations for the Community Led Support âCascadeâ program, this work is integral to the services commitment to embedding CLS into strategy and person-centred practice that will benefit our service users.
Nominations are welcome from staff at all levels that have experience using CLS, including paraprofessionals and social workers. Practitioners will have the opportunity to:
Nominees would be asked to commit to a full day of âtrain the trainerâ training, followed by shadowing with more experienced training delivers over a few months before delivering 1-3 training sessions with a fellow CLS trainer annually.
The development and integration of Community Led Support is fundamental to Adult Services strategic plan and objectives going forward. The success of CLS practice and the âWhat Matterâs Hubâsâ has been exceptional in generating person centred outcomes to benefit the service users within Scottish Borders. To continue this positive enhancement of practice, learning and skills development will be crucial for all Adult Social Work employees. Those that take forward the âCascadeâ role will be allocated appropriate time within their role to prepare for and deliver training in accordance with the course frameworks.
Participation in this training and the progression of the CLS initiative is supported by Chris Myers, Director of Adult Social Work and Social Care.
If you are interested in this opportunity and would like more information, please contact Shirley Cumming (scumming@scotborders.gov.uk) and Kerry Ferguson (Kerry.Ferguson@scotborders.com)
Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention for Children and Young People training This is a bespoke half day facilitated training session covering Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention for Children and Young People. It is aimed at anybody working with children and young people who are likely to have direct and/or substantial contact with those who may be at risk of self-harm or suicide. The content is drawn from the NHS Education for Scotland Skilled Level Learning Bytes 3 and 4 (see above). The session covers: Facts and trends associated with self-harm and suicide in young people; common risk, protective and stress factors related to self-harm and suicide in young people; an awareness of the impact a sensitive, compassionate approach can achieve when discussing self-harm and suicide (using the principles of Time, Space and Com passion); the links between self-harm, suicidal thoughts and trauma informed practice and; approaches to support including the steps involved in safety planning.
 Anyone attending this training must first complete the Informed Level e-module âPromoting children and young peopleâs mental health and preventing self harm and suicideâ.
We can also offer the opportunity to deliver the course for a specific staff group.
Contact health.improvement@borders.scot.nhs.uk for course information and dates.
